discretionary

adjective

dis·​cre·​tion·​ary di-ˈskre-shə-ˌner-ē 

1

: left to individual choice or judgment : exercised at one's own discretion

discretionary powers

2

: available for discretionary use

discretionary income

Synonyms

• elective
• optional
• voluntary

Examples of discretionary in a Sentence

discretionary spending on luxuries dropped dramatically last year

Recent Examples on the Web

The company and its rivals have been hurt by customers cutting back on discretionary spending because of inflation. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Reality check: The changes would have represented a small percentage of the $1.76 billion in discretionary spending in the 2025 budget. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Middle-class consumers who once frequented such places are cutting back on discretionary spending, experts say, and the high price of goods and labor are squeezing profits. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

In discretionary purchases, the market corrects itself if allowed to operate naturally with consumers deciding the winners and losers. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

discretion + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discretionary

• discretionary account
• discretionary income

Legal Definition

discretionary

adjective

dis·​cre·​tion·​ary dis-ˈkre-shə-ˌner-ē 

: left to discretion : exercised at one's own discretion

specifically : relating to the policy-making function of a public official see also Federal Tort Claims Act compare ministerial

Note: A public official generally has qualified immunity from lawsuits that arise from his or her discretionary acts.